• Question: How do stem cells repair nerve damage?

    Asked by Resh@science to Hayley, Jimi on 18 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Hayley Moulding

      Hayley Moulding answered on 18 Mar 2016:

      The stem cells can help by being programmed to make more cells to replace the damaged ones. If there is an area of cells which are damaged, the stem cells can be changed into any cell to replace the old ones. The cells around it will recognise the stem cells because they look just like the old ones, just new and exciting without damage. Hopefully, this means the cells will work and be able to repair the nerve damage.

    • Photo: Jimi Wills

      Jimi Wills answered on 18 Mar 2016:

      In addition to what Hayley says…

      It was always though that nerve cells would be impossible to replace, because they are so long… how would a tiny stem cell know where to go?

      Well, they seem to know where the old dead neurons were, and can grow exaclty where it’s needed to replace the old neuron.

      Also, until recently it was assumed that nerve cells aren’t repaired in adults, but recently it was shown that adult stem cells in the brain can repair damage.

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